"Hurry!" I shouted over my shoulder, as Imi huffed to keep pace.

The skirt of my white dress hiked up as I all but sprinted down the temple steps, toward the waiting chariot and a very grumpy High Priest. My pace slowed as I neared the pair of white charges. Their heads high, snorting and stomping, jingling the harness; wanting to run like the wild beat of my heart.

Duty bound me to finish my ritual bath and songs first, but with Imi's help we flew faster through the morning routine than the wings of Isis. Chaste with my words of prayer and swift with the sponge. Of course I couldn't pass the opportunity to watch my sister take the famous warmonger down to his knees.

I dropped to a walk, demurely sweeping my long braid behind me, still wet from my bath, as I stepped up onto the chariot. The glassy-eyed stare of Hotep's leopard pelt reminded me that eyes were everywhere and image was everything.

Hotep had initially rebuked my request to attend the duel, stating I was beholden to the temple, and a duel was no place for the pure body of Ra's wife.

But I knew where to push.

Wouldn't I, a symbol of Ra, be a beacon of strength for my sister's match? How the nobles would gossip if we lost to a patron of Set and I was not there to show support for the next Patron, the next Pharaoh, of our God.

Hotep arranged for the chariot immediately.

"Priestess, wait!" Imi huffed, pulling herself up onto the chariot behind me, sweat already beading on her brow. "You sure you weren't raised by cheetahs?"

I snorted a laugh still catching my breath. But the joke was lost on Hotep, he shot Imi a warning glance, before snapping the reins at the pair of impatient white steeds.

The blue and gold chariot lurched into motion as we rolled down the winding trail. I steadied myself, clutching to the side-rail and enjoying the breeze that billowed up under my skirt, drying the sweat that stuck to my thighs and trickled down my back under the blaze of Ra's shining eye.

Towering palms lined the road, shading our path as we headed up the trail North, toward the front of the palace, where the wide open court could hold the large summer festivals open to the common people. Several other chariots kicked up dust ahead of us, blanketing the morning in a soft golden haze. No doubt nobles coming from their estates, bored with ordering workers to tend to their herds and crops, in need of entertainment. Word spread fast with maids.

The blue feathered caps on the horses heads bounced up and down like wings flapping in a dusty sky and I spread my arms wide, closing them for a moment and feeling the wind on my cheeks, imagining how it would feel to soar, to be free. A bump in the road rocked the chariot sideways and my eyes snapped open, hand clamping back on the rail, plummeting to reality.

"Careful!" Imi chided, as we rounded the side of the palace path to the main entrance. Her knuckles white, as she anchored herself to the wood like it was the Ankh of Life itself. Imi had never liked riding. Any pace faster than what her feet could carry her seemed to make her dizzy.

Twin obelisks pointed skyward welcomed us in, and beside them the two sphinxes guarded the wide open gates, with somber faces and massive paws stretching in front of them from their lion's bodies. Each the size of a home, reminding me of the proud might of our empire that needed no formal military because we held the port to the north and with it the trade routes of the sea. Unlike Amon, who had to contend with the native tribes to the east and west of his Kingdom in the south.

I could hear shouting as we rode down the central path. Massive statues of pharaohs past and their queens, facing one another, lined the road to the palace. The half finished one near the gates was outlined, but had yet to be carved into a likeness. Though I doubt any rock could capture my sister's beauty.

We turned left with the other chariots, where a crowd had gathered by the guards quarters. I could see my sister Anaka at the top of the wall leaning over the railing waving into the center of the crowd.

My feet hit the ground before the chariot had stopped, speed walking toward the stairs that lead up to the wall post.

"Priestess wait!" Hotep barked, "You need to sta-" his voice lost, as another wave of cheers erupted. Hiking my skirt, I took the stairs two at a time to the landing. Anaka turned with a grin as she saw me approach. A seat had been set for her and Father under the shade of a canopy, the white fabric billowing softly in the wind, as servants fanned them with large palms from the sweltering heat.

Hephta sat beside her daughter, on the other side, face souring as I dipped under the shaded awning. Her blue eye lines were drawn sharp today, like a hawk.

"Priestess," she nodded through clenched teeth. "How rare for you to attend such a spectacle."

"How could I miss the opportunity to support the next Patron of Ra. Hotep should be along any moment," I added letting her know I had the support of the temple on this- however begrudging.

She pursed her painted red lips but said nothing in return.

"Sister come sit with me," Anaka snapped her fingers at one of the maids to order another chair over.

"No, that's alright, I'll stand." I'd get a better view that way.

"I see not even our great Priestess could resist watching this match up!" My father tipped his head in a boisterous laugh taking a swig from his goblet. His legs spread wide in his seat and his gold collar slightly crooked on his chest.

"Father..." my lips pulled into a wiry grin, "I see the party's still on going."

He let out a bark of a laugh, the corners of his eyes creasing with mirth- and the many glasses of wine.

"Oh my dear daughter," he reached a beckoning hand toward me. I placed mine in his as he squeezed tight, whispering just loud enough for my ears and the servants nearby. "I am so very proud of the woman you have become. You bring great honor as the wife of Ra."

I squeezed his hand in return, eyes misting and a lump forming in my throat. I nodded with a weak smile, kissing the back of his hand, before letting go and turning toward the match ignoring the guilt swallowing me.

This is why I would take my secrets to the afterlife. Why I kept the charade going. For the ones that loved me. For the pride, the honor, of my fathers gentle name. He was a pharaoh born of peaceful times, who raised us with love and care and I owed him at least the illusion of a pious daughter.

I leaned over the railing looking into the circle of onlookers that had fanned around the grounds. White skirted guards on one side of the half circle with leopard spotted shields and black on the other with shields depicting a golden painted jackal head. From this height it looked like a game of Draughts on a black and white board, except the black chips far outweighed the white. Amon had not brought the full might of his army on the journey North, but it was enough men that they outnumbered ours three to one.

"Who do you think will win?" Anaka came up to lean on the railing beside me. Her red robe that let all know she was a bride hugged her slight frame and her eye make up that accentuated her large brown eyes looked up at me with expectation. She looked like a woman now.

"Who do you think?" I countered.

Anaka's face lit like she'd been waiting to explain her reasoning. "I have gold on Amon-Set," she leaned into my side, whispering her dirty secret. Father thought gambling improper, but her widening grin reminded me of Amons mischievous one as a child. Perhaps they'll be a good match after all, I noted, swallowing the sour taste on my tongue. "Zahara has speed," Anaka explained, "but I think, with Amons battle experience, he will be able to anticipate her moves and secure the win."

It was sound reasoning, and yet, I wanted her to be wrong. I wanted to bet the opposite of whatever came out of her mouth. I took a deep breath stuffing my ugly feelings down.

"You are wise beyond your years sister," I praised, "but it only takes one grain of wheat to tip the scales. We will have to wait and see."

"Amon-Set!" she shouted below, waving her hand and causing several heads to turn, including his. His eyes found mine immediately, my stomach fluttering, and I trained my eyes on the weathered wood of the banister. How does he always do that?

When I was sure his attention had turned, I watched as he put on his battle helmet, shaped like a jackal's head and suddenly there was a beast in the place where Amon stood; sweat glistening off his bare chest, proudly showing his scars. A simple black collar donned his neck, shimmering with a metallic weight.

My sister wore her battle armor as well. A metal breast covering in the shape of golden wings that wrapped around her body, leaving her waist bare and a simple white skirt with a slit up the right for ease of movement. Her athletic frame, equally muscular. Legs, long like a gazelle, and arms strong enough to take on the captain of the guard.

They stood like a black and white dot in the center of a blank board. My breath hitched in anticipation as the Captain, with his blue feathered gold helmet, brought over my sister's twin daggers. They were long, sharp and curved slightly at the ends like fangs, reinforcing her Viper nickname. The woman I'd met last night- with soft curves and a cat-like face-brought Amon a dark metal heavy looking broadsword. What was her name again- Sara? Saren... Sarena! She stepped back as he swung experimentally through the air. The awkward swipes of my childhood friend, replaced with long smooth strokes slicing as if it were an extension of his arm.

Father stood, coming to join us at the balcony and a hush fell over the crowd as Nabil-Ra raised his hand, looking as strong and immovable as the statues which his face had been carved into. The wind picked up swirling dust around the gathering throng.

"Silence! The North Star speaks," a guard shouted.

"Welcome our guests from the south, our sons and daughters of our great city Memphis, children of Ra!" Father raised his hands to the heavens and cheers erupted from the crowd and the guards in white banged their spear heads against their wooden shields. "In honor of the upcoming wedding feast we shall have a duel to test the might of our two kingdoms! Your rising star- Zahara-Ra, Viper of the North and Pharaoh Amon-Set, the Jackal of War!" I rolled my eyes as father amped up the crowd using their warriors nicknames. He's enjoying this a little too much.

"Ra-Ra! Ra-Ra!" Our guards chanted with another bang of steel against wood, short forming my Sister name and future title. Hoteps eyes narrowed, clearly displeased that their gazes turned more toward her then the heavenly Gods.

"My daughter Nefari-your Priestess-shall begin the match," Father stepped back into the shadow of the awning leaving all eyes on me. Great.

I swallowed hard, my mouth dry as the sand planes. Strong. Confident... Breathe. I chanted, remembering my training as I straightened my spine addressing the people.

"May the light of Ra shine over this match and give you strength warriors." I called out, clearly taking my sister's side. My temple's side. The palace guards cheered once more and Hotep looked pleased. Somehow so did the woman Sarena, who whispered something in Amon's ear with a coy grin before turning to stand with the others at the edge of the circle. "Begin!" I shouted with more force, hand rising and falling in a swift strike.